Flexible connection systems

ABSTRACT

A latch and catch arrangement is disclosed, whereby a sleeve supporting a flexible hinge with an extended finger is oriented over a fluid connection to a socket guide. An alignment via a latch and catch between the sleeve and tool collar orients a flexible hinge, which may be of reduced thickness, over a bearing in a guide. The finger moves upward when a tool is inserted into a tool socket, and the flexible hinge, properly oriented by the alignment catch/latch, keeps the finger in the tool socket while allowing necessary movement to insert and remove a tool.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No.14/079,411 filed Nov. 13, 2013; claims the full Paris Convention benefitof, and priority to, U.S. provisional application 61/886,272 filed Oct.3, 2013; and is also a Continuation of International applicationPCT/US2012/033339 filed Apr. 12, 2012, which claims the full ParisConvention benefit of, and priority to, U.S. provisional application61/486,727 filed May 18, 2011, the contents of which are incorporated bythis reference as if fully set forth herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This disclosure relates to end aligned flexible connections for mountingtools and systems thereof.

2. General Background

Handles with removable tools are known in the art. Friction fits,pressure fits, and spring-loaded mounts are traditionally used.

A socket wrench is a type of wrench that uses separate, removablesockets to fit different sizes of nuts and bolts. A socket wrench is awrench with interchangeable heads called sockets that attach to afitting on the wrench, allowing it to turn different sized bolts andother fasteners. Commonly, a hand tool consists of a handle with aratcheting mechanism built in, so it can be turned using aback-and-forth motion. A tool such as a socket snaps onto a fitting onthe handle. The handle supplies the mechanical advantage to provide thetorque to turn the socket. The advantage of a socket wrench is that,instead of a separate wrench for each of the many different bolt headsused in modern machinery, only a separate socket is needed, savingspace.

SUMMARY

The disclosure teaches a flexible connector or living hinge for use inmounting tools to a larger element such as a handpiece, shaft, or thelike. In some instances the flexible living hinge is of a reducedthickness as compared to the surrounding sleeve.

In some exemplary implementations there are disclosed aspects of amethod and device with a tool collar having a closed back end and anopen front, having an outer annular wall providing an open end shapedsurrounding a tool socket. Said tool socket also having an (inner)annular wall. A bearing guide is fluidly connected between both innerand outer annular walls. A bearing is fitted within the guide. To limitthe bearing from falling through the bearing guide into the tool socket,the end of the bearing guide adjacent to the inner annular wall is of asmaller diameter than the bearing. To prohibit loss of the bearingand/or to dynamically move said bearing within said bearing guide, asleeve with a flexible hinge (or living hinge) is placed or affixed overthe outer annular wall of the tool collar. The flexible hinge having athickness which is less than the sleeve it is formed with. In someimplementations, a shaft may be affixed to the closed back end of thetool collar whereby said tool collar may be affixed to one of a handle,a larger device, and a power tool.

In some exemplary implementations there are disclosed aspects of amethod and device with a tool collar having a closed back end and anopen front having an outer annular wall which provides an open end shapesurrounding a tool socket. Said tool socket also having an inner annularwall. A bearing guide is fluidly connected between both inner and outerannular walls. A bearing is fitted within the guide. To limit thebearing from falling through the bearing guide into the tool socket, theend of the bearing guide adjacent to the inner annular wall is of asmaller diameter than the bearing. To prohibit loss of the bearingand/or to dynamically move said bearing within said bearing guide, asleeve with a flexible hinge formed therein is placed or affixed overthe outer annular wall of the tool collar and an alignment guide isformed located at least at one of the front and back of the tool collar,to limit orientation of the flexible hinge. In some implementations, ashaft may be affixed to the closed back end of the tool collar wherebysaid tool collar may be affixed to one of a handle, a larger device, anda power tool.

The disclosure teaches aspects of a flexible connector or living hingefor use in mounting tools to a larger element such as a handpiece,shaft, or the like. Generally, a tool collar with a closed back endhaving a shaft formed as part of, or affixed thereto. Said tool collarcomprises an outer annular wall having an open front with shaped toolsocket therein. Said tool socket has an inner annular wall. A bearingguide is fluidly connected between both annular walls and a bearing maybe fitted within said guide. To limit said bearing from falling throughsaid bearing guide, the end of the bearing guide adjacent to the toolshaft is of a smaller diameter to the bearing therein. To prohibit lossof the bearing and/or to dynamically move said bearing within saidbearing guide, a sleeve with a flexible hinge (or living hinge) isplaced or affixed in a fixed position over said tool collar. The shaftis affixed to one of a handle device and a power tool. The flexiblehinge is oriented via one or more alignment guide (acting as a latch orcatch) formed on at least one of the back end of the tool collar and thefront of the tool collar whereby a corresponding latch or catch formedas part of the sleeve mates therewith. The flexible hinge may be thesame or similar thickness as the sleeve (also referred to as ahomogeneous) or non-homogeneous or variable thickness. In someinstances, a tool is fitted into said tool socket. The tool provides alatch for said bearing. In such instances the bearing forms a catch. Thelatch may be an annular bearing guide such as a concave channel. Theannular bearing guide may also be a cut out, divot, well, or the likeand not circumnavigate the tool. In some instances, multiple flexiblehinges formed in said sleeve and multiple bearings are fit into multiplebearing guides. In some instances of multiple bearings, the bearingguides of the tool collar are positioned generally aligned. In otherinstances, said bearing guides are disaligned. Said sleeve may be formedof at least one of plastics, resins, metals, composites, rubbers, andpolymers.

The disclosure teaches methods of reversibly attaching tools wherein atool collar with an open ended tool socket (for mounting a tool) has amovable bearing within a guide in fluid connection with the outer andinner walls of the tool collar. A sleeve material is fitted over thetool collar. The sleeve has at least a flexible region (also called aliving hinge) which is seated in a predetermined alignment above thebearing in the guide. The flexible hinge region of the sleeve isdisplaceable by the pressure exerted thereon from the bearing movingagainst it as the bearing is displaced during insertion of a tool withinthe open ended tool socket. The flexible hinge may be the same orsimilar thickness as the sleeve (also referred to as a homogeneous) ornon-homogeneous or variable thickness. When an annular bearing guideformed in said tool aligns with said bearing, the flexible hinge urgesthe bearing into the annular bearing guide, thereby cooperating in alatch and catch arrangement to hold the tool in the tool shaft.

The disclosure teaches methods of reversibly attaching tools wherein atool collar with an open ended tool socket (for mounting a tool) has amovable bearing within a guide in fluid connection with the outer andinner walls of the tool collar. A sleeve material is fitted over thetool collar. The sleeve has at least a flexible region (also called aliving hinge) which is seated in a predetermined alignment above thebearing in the guide. The hinge has a first end formed as part of thesleeve and a second free end which is within a guide and can move froman at rest to an active position. The guide is a fluid connection fromthe exterior of the sleeve to the interior. In some instances the sleeveis generally cylindrical. Alignment may be via a cooperative latch/catcharrangement between portions of the sleeve and the tool collar. In someinstances at least one of the back end and open front of the toolcollar, there is positioned an end centric alignment latch or catch. Insome instances, the alignment latch or catch is formed at the back endof the tool socket. In other instances, it is formed at the front end ofthe tool socket. The corresponding latch or catch is formed on thecorresponding end of the sleeve (front or back), thereby placing theflexible hinge in the pre-determined orientation. The alignment latch orcatch may be asymmetrical. The flexible hinge region of the sleeve isdisplaceable by the pressure exerted thereon from the bearing movingagainst it as the bearing is displaced during insertion of a tool withinthe open ended tool socket. The flexible hinge may be the same orsimilar thickness as the sleeve (also referred to as a homogeneous) ornon-homogeneous or variable thickness. When an annular bearing guideformed in said tool aligns with said bearing, the flexible hinge urgesthe bearing into the annular bearing guide, thereby cooperating in alatch and catch arrangement to hold the tool in the tool shaft.

In some instances a finger is formed as part of the flexible hinge nearthe free end and facing the inside of the cylinder. The finger mayfunction as an alignment via placement into the bearing guide when thesleeve is fitted over the tool collar. The finger may also replace thebearing and extend into the tool socket whereby it interacts with atool. A tool inserted into the tool socket will displace the free end ofthe hinge and the finger will move upward away from the center of thecylindrical sleeve. If the tool has a guide catch or latch formedtherein the finger will fit into that guide and return to its originalposition—the at rest position—whereby it provides a force to reversiblyhold the tool in the tool socket.

The disclosure teaches a method of reversibly attaching tools, wherein atool collar with an open ended tool socket having a movable finger(attached to the free end of the hinge) within a guide is in fluidconnection with the outer and inner walls of said tool collar. A sleevematerial is fitted over said tool collar. The sleeve has the flexiblehinge region with finger thereon inserted into the guide. Said finger isdisplaceable by the pressure exerted thereon during insertion of a toolwithin said tool shaft. When an annular bearing guide formed in saidtool aligns with said finger, the flexible hinge moves up and down andacts to urge the finger into the annular bearing guide.

DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned features of the present disclosure will become moreapparent with reference to the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like referencenumerals denote like elements and in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 show perspective views of the assembly of flexible hingeconnection of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary implementation of a tool handle with flexibletool connector of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows a partial cut-away side component view of an exemplaryimplementation of a tool handle with flexible connection of thedisclosure;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective component view of the exemplaryimplementation of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6A shows a partial cut-away side component view of an exemplaryimplementation of a tool handle with flexible connection of thedisclosure;

FIG. 6B shows a partial cut-away side component view of an exemplaryimplementation of a tool handle with flexible connection having anintegral finger of the disclosure;

FIG. 7A shows a perspective component view of the exemplaryimplementation of FIGS. 6A and 6B;

FIG. 7B shows a perspective component view of a step down hinge bodyalternative (37) of the exemplary implementation of FIGS. 6A and 6B;

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a partial cut-away view of an exemplaryimplementation of a tool handle with flexible tool connector of thedisclosure;

FIGS. 10 and 11 show a partial cut-away view of an exemplaryimplementation of a tool handle with flexible tool connector of thedisclosure;

FIG. 12 shows a partial cut-away view of an exemplary implementation ofa tool handle with flexible tool connector of the disclosure;

FIG. 13 shows a partial cut-away view of an exemplary implementation ofa sleeve with flexible hinge of the disclosure;

FIG. 14A shows a partial assembly view of components of a flexible toolconnector;

FIG. 14B shows perspective views of the assembly of reduced thicknessflexible hinge connection of the disclosure;

FIG. 15 shows a cut-away view of a flexible tool connection and a toolend of FIG. 14A;

FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of a front aligned flexible toolconnector;

FIG. 17 shows a component view of a front aligned flexible toolconnector;

FIG. 18 is a top view of a reduced thickness flap formed in a sleeve;

FIGS. 19 and 20 are sequential cut-away views of the insertion andcatching of a tool shaft inserted via a reduced thickness hinge;

FIGS. 21 and 22 are sequential cut-away views of the insertion andcatching of a tool shaft inserted via a finger latch; and,

FIGS. 23A and 23B show a combination catch and tool socket assembly andtool mounting.

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features ofthe present disclosure that are regarded as novel, it is believed thatthe present disclosure's teachings will be better understood from aconsideration of the following description in conjunction with theappendices and figures, in which like reference numerals are carriedforward. All descriptions and callouts in the Figures are herebyincorporated by this reference as if fully set forth herein.

FURTHER DESCRIPTION

According to some aspects of exemplary implementations, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 and 3, there is a tool mount with flexible connector 5. Atool collar 10 with a closed back end, and an open front end, an outerannular wall 11 with an open ended tool socket 12 having an innerannular wall 13 with a bearing guide 14 fluidly communicatingtherethrough and a closed back end 16 is shown affixed to a shaft 20.The bearing guide 14 forms a fluid connection from the outer annularwall 11 to the inner annular wall 13. A sleeve 30 with flexible “U”hinge 32 is sized to snugly slide over the tool collar 10 and bearingguide 14. A bearing 40 fits in the bearing guide. The bearing guide 14is an open channel with a fluid connection from the outer annular wall11 of the tool collar 10 to the inner annular wall 13 of the toolsocket. The edge of the bearing guide 14 also being adjacent to (and influid connection with) the inner annular wall 13 of the tool socket(which may be generally referred to as the inner wall of the toolcollar) which is of a diameter smaller than the diameter of the bearing40. The edge of the bearing guide 14 adjacent to the outer annular wall11 of the tool collar is of a diameter large enough for said bearing tomove up and down within the bearing guide 14. Those of ordinary skill inthe art will recognize that a tool socket may be conformed to fit aspecific tool mount, geometric, radiuses, partially radiused, and thelike.

FIG. 4 illustrates some aspects of an exemplary implementation of adevice with a flexible connection hinge system 60. The tool collar 10with tool socket 12 includes an alignment guide 34 which is raisedwithin the tool socket 12. A bearing 40 in a bearing guide is movablyaffixed within the bearing guide and positioned beneath a flexible “C”shaped hinge body 35. The shaft 20 affixed within an encasement 50 andwhich combines a tool mount with flexible connector and encasement 50forming the device 60 with flexible connector. Inside the device 60there is a connection 65 and at the distal end of the device is aterminus portion 70. The connection 65 may be a mating system,ratcheting or torque limiting device all known in the art such as thosetaught in Applicants' U.S. Pat. No. 7,938,046. The terminus portion isthe location of an end, a handle or a further connection to a powerdevice including but not limited to drills and other rotating devicessuch as those taught in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/806,126. Theconnection system is not intended to be limited to use with fix toolsand is equally suited for use with torque limiting devices, ratchet andthe like.

FIG. 5 illustrates some aspects of an exemplary implementation of a handtool with flexible connection hinge 80. The tool collar 10 with toolsocket 12 includes an alignment guide 34 which is raised within the toolsocket 12. A bearing 40 in a bearing guide is movably affixed within thebearing guide and positioned beneath a flexible “C” shaped hinge body35. The shaft 20 affixed within an encasement which may be a handle 50and which combines a tool mount with flexible connector and encasement50 forming a tool 80 (in this instance hand held) with flexibleconnector. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that thesubject matter of this disclosure is not limited to hand tools and thatsaid shaft 20 could be designed to fit within in a collar of a poweredtool and the like. Powered tools and devices include drills and otherrotating devices such as those taught in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/806,126. The encasement 50 may form a hand held handle or thecase of an in-line device. The connection system is not intended to belimited to use with fix tools and is equally suited for use with torquelimiting devices, ratchet and the like.

A tool 100 with a shaped proximal end 101 and an annular bearing guide102 fits within said tool socket. Said bearing is of a size and shapewhereby it is displaced upward from the tool socket towards the outerwall of the tool collar constrained within said bearing guide by saidflexible “C” shaped hinge body 35. Said flexible hinge being formed ofan elastomeric material with memory. Materials may include, but are notlimited to plastics, resins, metals, composites, rubbers, and polymers.Said flexible hinge may be displaced by the force of a moving bearing.Said bearing fitting within said annular bearing guide when saidflexible hinge urges said bearing therein. The distal end 103 of thetool 100 is formed to, in some instances, provide a tool catch 104. Saidtool catch may affix tools such as fastening tools, cutting tools,positioning tools, and the like. The alignment guide 34 may be used toorient a tool 100 with an alignment portion 105 in the correct position.Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that said tool catchmay be eliminated and a tool may be formed at the distal end of the toolshaft. Those of ordinary skill in the art will also recognize that suchan arrangement to affix a tool shaft which may have a variety of toolcatches provides a single handle which may be used with a multitude oftool platforms.

The sleeve 30 with flexible “C” shaped hinge body 35 is sized to snuglyslide over the tool collar 10 and bearing guide. The sleeve 30 isgenerally cylindrical with a partially closed back end 31 and an openfront end. Formed through the partially closed back end 31 is anasymmetrical latch 32 which receives the positioning catch 21 whichforms an alignment guide. The latch and catch are utilized to positionthe hinge body 35 in a preselected orientation to the bearing 40. Thoseof ordinary skill in the art will recognize that said positioning latchcatch may be chosen from a plethora of shapes which all would be withinthe present disclosure.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A and 7B illustrate aspects of exemplary implementationsof a connection which may be used with any of power driven tools, handtools, or hand devices providing a flexible connection hinge 200. FIG.6A utilizes a method and system which interposes a bearing 40 in thebearing guide, the bearing is movably affixed within the bearing guideand positioned beneath a flexible “C” shaped hinge body 35. The shaft 20affixed within a handle 50 combines a tool mount with flexible connectorand handle 50 forming a tool 200 (in this instance hand held) with aflexible connector which fits over a tool collar 201 having a toolsocket 202. A sleeve 30 with flexible “C” shaped hinge body 35 within anaperture 36 is sized to slide over the tool collar 201 and bearing andbearing guide. The sleeve 30 is generally cylindrical with a partiallyclosed back end 31 and an open front end. The hinge body is flexible, ithas an at rest memory or rest position which is substantially similar tothe profile of the sleeve. The hinge body has a first end 35′ whichconnects to the sleeve and a free end 35″ which is unattached. Theflexible hinge body lifts upward, radially, from the sleeve into anactive position. When the bearing thereunder presses against it, thehinge body also presses against the bearing when in the active positionand seeks it's at rest position and therefore will urge the bearingdownward when an opening or cavity to accept the bearing's movementradially into the tool collar is provided. FIG. 7B illustrates analternative sleeve and hinge wherein the hinge body is a reducedthickness hinge body 37 with a first end 38 affixed to the sleeve and afree second end 39. The reduced thickness hinge body 37 is thinner thanthe thickness of the sleeve. Although shown as being relativelyhomogeneous in its thickness, the reduced thickness hinge body 37 may betapered or otherwise non-homogeneous.

Whether the normal thickness hinge body 35 or the reduced thicknesshinge body 37 in either case the exemplary shown in FIG. 6A illustratesthe memory hinge body at the rest position and in each case the hingebody will urge the bearing into a latch if provided. FIG. 7A shows tool110 with a shaped proximal end 111 and a tool latch 112 reversiblymountable to fit within tool socket 202. The proximal end 111 displacesthe bearing 40 during insertion thereby moving the hinge body from atrest position to active position. The active position hinge body urgesthe bearing 40 into the tool latch 112 thereby catching the bearing andreversibly mounting the tool 110. The tool latch may be an annular ringaround the shaft. At the distal end 113 of the tool 110, in someinstances, is a tool catch 114. Said tool catch may affix tools such asfastening tools, cutting tools, positioning tools and the like. Those ofordinary skill in the art will recognize that said tool catch may beeliminated and a tool may be formed at the distal end of the tool shaft.Those of ordinary skill in the art will also recognize that such anarrangement to affix a tool shaft which may have a variety of toolcatches provides a single handle which may be used with a multitude oftool platforms.

The thinner hinge body reduces the force needed to insert and remove atool 110 from the device. In medical procedures a tool may be wet,slippery or otherwise difficult to hold onto. By reducing the thicknessof the hinge body less force is required to displace it.

FIG. 6B illustrates aspects of an exemplary implementation of aconnection which may be used with power driven tools, hand tools or handdevices with a flexible connection hinge 250. This exemplary is analternative to the exemplary shown in FIG. 6A. The bearing in a bearingguide is replaced by a finger 42 formed integrally with the hinge body35 and thereby movably affixed to the hinge body such that when thesleeve is affixed over the tool collar the finger 42 projects throughthe bearing guide positioned beneath a flexible “C” shaped hinge body35. FIG. 7B illustrates the alternative sleeve and hinge wherein thehinge body is a reduced thickness hinge body 37 with a first end 38affixed to the sleeve and a free second end 39. The reduced thicknesshinge body 37 is thinner than the thickness of the sleeve. Althoughshown as being relatively homogeneous in its thickness, the reducedthickness hinge body 37 may be tapered or otherwise non-homogeneous. Thebearing in the bearing guide may be replaced by the finger 42 formedintegrally with the hinge body 37 and thereby movably affixed to thehinge body such that when the sleeve is affixed over the tool collar thefinger 42 projects through the bearing guide positioned beneath thereduced thickness hinge body 37.

Whether the normal thickness hinge body 35 or the reduced thicknesshinge body 37 in either case the exemplar shown in FIG. 6B illustratesthe memory hinge body at the rest with the finger 42 in the restposition. In each case the hinge body will urge the finger 42 into alatch if provided. FIGS. 7A and 7B show a tool 110 with a shapedproximal end 111 and a tool latch 112 reversibly mountable to fit withintool socket 202. The proximal end 111 displaces the finger 42 duringinsertion thereby moving the hinge body from at rest position to activeposition. The active position of the hinge body urges the finger 42 intothe tool latch 112 thereby catching the finger and reversibly mountingthe tool 110. The tool latch may be an annular ring around the shaft. Atthe distal end 113 of the tool 110, in some instances, is a tool catch114. Said tool catch may affix tools such as fastening tools, cuttingtools, positioning tools and the like.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate some aspects of an exemplary implementation ofa hand tool or hand device with flexible connection hinge 300. The toolcollar 301 has a bearing guide 302 and tool socket 303. A bearing 304 inthe bearing guide is movably affixed within a bearing guide 302 andpositioned beneath a flexible hinge 306 formed in a collar sleeve fittedover the tool collar. Although the flexible hinge 306 is illustrated ashaving substantially the same thickness as the sleeve, as previouslydescribed, the hinge body may be a reduced thickness hinge body toreduce the necessary force to displace same. A back shaft 325 affixed tothe tool collar extends opposite the tool socket 202 and may be used toconnect the tool with flexible connection hinge 300 to a handle, chuck,tool, power tool and the like. When the front tool shaft 330 is urgedforward within the tool socket 303, the bearing 304 within the bearingguide 302 moves away from the tool latch 333, thereby pushing on theflexible hinge 306, thereby elastically deforming it along the line ofarrow 1000 in the bearing guide 332 as front tool shaft 330 is removedfrom the tool socket 303.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate some aspects of an exemplary implementationof a tool with flexible connection hinge 400. The tool collar 401 has afirst bearing guide 402 and a second bearing guide 402′ and a toolsocket 403. A first bearing 404 is placed in the first bearing guide402, a second bearing 404′ resides in the second bearing guide 402, eachbearing being movably affixed. Both bearings are generally on the sameside of the tool collar. Over the first bearing 402 is placed a firstflexible hinge 406, and over the second bearing is a second flexiblehinge 406′ formed in a collar sleeve 407 fitted over the tool collar.Although the flexible hinges 406 and 406′ are illustrated as havingsubstantially the same thickness as the sleeve, as previously described,the hinge body may be a reduced thickness hinge body to reduce thenecessary force to displace same. A back shaft 325 affixed to the toolcollar extends opposite the tool socket 403 and may be used to connectthe tool with flexible connection hinge 400 to a handle, chuck, tool,power tool and the like. When the front shaft 430 is urged forwardwithin the tool socket 403, the bearing within the bearing guides (alsoreferred to as the tool latch 433 and 433′) moves away from the toolsocket, thereby pushing on the flexible hinges, elastically deformingsaid flexible hinges along the line of arrows 1001 and 1002.

FIG. 12 illustrates some aspects of an exemplary implementation of ahand tool or hand device with flexible connection hinge 500. The toolcollar 501 with a first bearing guide 502 and a second bearing guide502′ and tool socket 503 is shown. A first bearing 504 is placed in thefirst bearing guide 502 and a second bearing 504 resides in the secondbearing guide 504′, each bearing being movably affixed. Both bearingsare dis-aligned on the tool collar. Over the first bearing 502 is placeda first flexible hinge 506, and over the second bearing 504 is a secondflexible hinge 506′, formed in a collar sleeve 507 fitted over the toolcollar. A back shaft 325 affixed to the tool collar extends opposite thetool socket 503 and may be used to connect the tool with flexibleconnection hinge 500 to a handle, chuck, tool, power tool and the like.If the front shaft 530 is urged forward within the tool socket 503, thebearing within the bearing guides 525 will move away from the toolsocket pushing on the flexible hinges, and will thereby elasticallydeform it along the line of arrows 1003 and 1004 as front shaft 530 isremoved from the tool socket 503. Although the flexible hinges 506 and506′ are illustrated as having substantially the same thickness as thesleeve, as previously described, the hinge body may be a reducedthickness hinge body to reduce the necessary force to displace same.

FIG. 13 shows a top view of a flexible hinge 600. A sleeve 30 has acircular ball alignment 601 formed therein. A plurality of channels 602extend from said ball alignment. A ball bearing 40 is held beneath saidball alignment in a bearing guide (not shown). The ball alignment 601has a diameter smaller than that of said ball bearing. Flexible flaps604 are formed between each pair of channels. Said flaps have multiplefree edges at the ball alignment, and at the channels. The portion ofthe flap attached to the larger sleeve (between said channels) forms anatural hinge, and when said ball bearing pushes upward at the ballalignment said flap yields and is displaced to allow movement. Byutilizing material with memory, the flaps will urge the ball bearingback into the bearing guide and to mate with any catch or latch on atool that said bearing may temporarily affix. Although the flexibleflaps 604 are illustrated as having substantially the same thickness asthe sleeve the flap may be a reduced thickness flap to reduce thenecessary force to displace same.

According to some aspects of exemplary implementations, as shown inFIGS. 14A and 15, there is a tool mount with flexible connector. A toolcollar 10 with a closed back end 15 and open front end forming toolsocket 12 having an inner annular wall and a bearing guide 14 is shownaffixed to a portion of a shaft 20. For illustration purposes, shaft 20is not fully shown. A sleeve 30 with flexible “U” shaped hinge body 35is sized to snugly slide over the tool collar 10 and bearing guide 14. Abearing 40 fits in the bearing guide. The bearing guide 14 is an openchannel with a fluid connection from the outer annular wall of the toolcollar 10 to the annular wall of the tool socket. The interface of theshaft with the back end 15 of the tool collar 10 has an asymmetricalextension from the back of the tool collar and/or around the shaft whichis a positioning catch 21. FIG. 14B shows an alternative sleeve andhinge wherein the hinge body is a reduced thickness hinge body 37. Thethinner hinge body reduces the force needed to insert and remove a tool110 from the device. In medical procedures, a tool may be wet, slipperyor otherwise difficult to hold onto. By reducing the thickness of thehinge body, less force is required to displace it.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show an assembled and a component view of a frontaligned sleeve with flexible hinge. Although FIGS. 16 and 17 show theflexible hinge as a reduced thickness hinge body 800, those of ordinaryskill in the art will recognize that the alignment disclosed herein isnot limited to a reduced thickness hinge body and is equally applicableto the hinge body 35 described above.

FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 illustrate an exemplary implementation of a frontaligned flexible hinge device with a reduced thickness hinge body 800. Ashaft 20 is connected to the back of the tool collar 900. The front ofthe tool collar 910 is generally ovoid or circular with anon-homogeneous portion 915, in this instance shown as a non-radiusedsection, acting as a positioning/alignment catch. That non-homogeneoussection may be a groove, rib, concavity or other catch. A bearing guide14 is an open channel with a fluid connection from the outer annularwall 921 of the tool collar 900 to the annular wall 923 of the toolsocket 925. The edge of the bearing guide 14 also being adjacent to (andin fluid connection with) the annular wall 925 of the tool socket (whichmay be generally referred to as the inner wall of the tool collar) is ofa diameter smaller than the diameter of the bearing 40. The edge of thebearing guide 14 adjacent to the outer annular wall 921 of the toolcollar is large enough for said bearing to move up and down within theguide.

The sleeve 700 is generally cylindrical with an open back end 705, apartially-open front end 708, an open back end 709, an outer annularwall 710, an inner annular wall 712, and an alignment latch 720. Theflexible hinge flap 801 is constructed of a material with memory, which,when at rest is generally aligned with the inner annular wall. The flap801 is flexible at its connected first end 805, and when displaced, itmoves out of alignment with the inner annular wall, thereby opening upthe bearing guide 14 to allow movement of the bearing 40 within theguide. When assembled, the sleeve 700 slips over the tool collar 900.The positioning guide is an asymmetrical alignment latch 720 mating withthe alignment catch 915 limiting assembly to one orientation, andthereby preventing rotation of the sleeve 700 around the tool collar900. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that apositioning catch/latch cooperative arrangement may be reversed, whereinthe latch is on the sleeve and the catch on the tool collar, or viceversa.

In some instances and implementations, an internal rib 730circumnavigates a portion of the inner annular wall 712 of the sleeve.The rib 730 acts as a latch with a grove formed in the tool collar'souter annular wall 921. The rib mates with the grove 930 to hold thesleeve in place upon the tool collar.

The sleeve has the reduced thickness hinge body 800 formed therein. Theflap 801 is thinner than the surrounding sleeve material, and has anattached first end 805 and a free second end 808. The attached first endis affixed to or formed as part of the flap guide 810, which is a wellor depression which may be sloped or orthogonal to the flap. The secondend 808 of the flap 801 is separated from the flap guide 810 by achannel 812, which allows the second end 808 to move without rubbing orbinding against the sides of the well that is the reduced thickness flapguide shown.

FIGS. 19 and 20 are sequenced views of a method of reversibly connectinga tool 110 with a shaped proximal end 111 and a tool latch 112 into atool collar 900, reversibly mountable to fit within a tool socket 925.When the shaped proximal end 111 encounters the bearing 40 duringinsertion, by applying adequate force to displace the free second end808 of the reduced thickness hinge body 800, the bearing 40 moves awayfrom the tool socket, thereby allowing the shaped proximal end 111 topass through. When the tool is fully inserted (FIG. 20), the tool latch(which is an annular groove around the tool) aligns with the bearingguide 14 and the flexible reduced thickness hinge body 800, which isconnected to the flap guide 810 via the first end 805, returns to its atrest position, thereby holding the bearing 40 in the tool latch 112.

With the bearing 40 in the bearing guide 14 the sleeve 700 slips overthe tool collar with the alignment latch 720, mating with the alignmentcatch 915, which orients the flap 801 over the bearing 40. In someinstances, a rib 730 is utilized. The rib will mate with a groove 930 tohold the sleeve onto the tool collar. The proximal end 111 displaces thebearing 40 during insertion into the tool socket 925, until said bearing40 rests in the tool latch 112, thereby acting as a catch.

FIGS. 21 and 22 are sequenced views of a method of reversibly connectinga tool 110 with a shaped proximal end 111 and a tool latch 112 into atool collar 900, reversibly mountable to fit within a tool socket 925.When the shaped proximal end 111 encounters the finger 42, integrallyformed as part of the reduced thickness hinge body 800, during insertionand by applying adequate force to displace the free second end 808 ofthe reduced thickness hinge body 800 and the finger 42 formed thereonmoves away from the tool socket as the finger flap move, therebyallowing the shaped proximal end 111 to pass through. When the tool isfully inserted (FIG. 22), the tool latch (which is an annular groovearound the tool) aligns with the bearing guide 14 and the flexiblereduced thickness hinge body 800, which is connected to the flap guide810 via the first end 805, returns to its at rest position, therebyholding the finger 42 in the tool latch 112.

The sleeve 700 slips over the tool collar 900 with the alignment latch720, mating with the alignment catch 915, which orients the flap 801over the bearing guide 14. In some instances, a rib 730 is utilized. Therib will mate with a groove 930 to hold the sleeve onto the tool collar.The proximal end 111 displaces the finger which, at rest, extends intothe tool socket and during insertion of the tool 110 into the toolsocket 925 said finger will rest in the tool latch 112, thereby actingas a catch.

A sleeve 30 with flexible “C” shaped hinge body 35 is sized to snuglyslide over the tool collar 10 and bearing guide. The sleeve 30 isgenerally cylindrical with a partially closed back end 31 and an openfront end. Formed through the partially closed back end 31 is anasymmetrical latch 32 which receives the positioning catch 21 whichforms an alignment guide. The latch and catch are utilized to positionthe hinge body 35 in a preselected orientation to the bearing 40. Thoseof ordinary skill in the art will recognize that said positioning latchcatch may be chosen from a plethora of shapes which all would be withinthe present disclosure.

FIGS. 23A and 23B show a plastic tool collar 950 and views of a methodof reversibly connecting a tool 110 with a shaped proximal end 111 and atool latch 112 into a tool collar 950. The tool has an exterior wall951, an open front end 952 to receive the proximal end of a tool into aninternal socket 954. A flexible hinge arm 956 with a finger 957 formedthereon is within a guide 958 affixed at a first end 959 and with a freeend 960 whereby its free end 960 will move up and down relative to thetool socket if adequate force is applied to the finger 957. The hingearm 956 has memory and is at rest with the finger extending into thetool socket. The hinge arm is in an active position when the tool isinserted into the tool socket and thereby displaces the finger andassociated hinge arm to allow passage of the tool. The finger then mateswith a bearing guide 112 in the tool when it is aligned with the fingerand reversibly mates the tool in the tool socket. A shaft 970 is formedas part of the tool collar and extends from the smaller diameter openback end 972 of the tool collar.

While the method and apparatus have been described in terms of what arepresently considered to be the most practical and preferredimplementations, it is to be understood that the disclosure need not belimited to the disclosed implementations. It is intended to covervarious modifications and similar arrangements included within thespirit and scope of the claims, the scope of which should be accordedthe broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modificationsand similar structures. The present disclosure includes any and allimplementations of the following claims.

It should also be understood that a variety of changes may be madewithout departing from the essence of the disclosure. Such changes arealso implicitly included in the description. They still fall within thescope of this disclosure. It should be understood that this disclosureis intended to yield a patent covering numerous aspects of thedisclosure both independently and as an overall system and in bothmethod and apparatus modes.

Further, each of the various elements of the disclosure and claims mayalso be achieved in a variety of manners. This disclosure should beunderstood to encompass each such variation, be it a variation of animplementation of any apparatus implementation, a method or processimplementation, or even merely a variation of any element of these.

Particularly, it should be understood that as the disclosure relates toelements of the disclosure, the words for each element may be expressedby equivalent apparatus terms or method terms—even if only the functionor result is the same.

Such equivalent, broader, or even more generic terms should beconsidered to be encompassed in the description of each element oraction. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make explicit theimplicitly broad coverage to which this disclosure is entitled.

It should be understood that all actions may be expressed as a means fortaking that action or as an element which causes that action.

Similarly, each physical element disclosed should be understood toencompass a disclosure of the action which that physical elementfacilitates.

Any patents, publications, or other references mentioned in thisapplication for patent are hereby incorporated by reference. Inaddition, as to each term used it should be understood that unless itsutilization in this application is inconsistent with suchinterpretation, common dictionary definitions should be understood asincorporated for each term and all definitions, alternative terms, andsynonyms such as contained in at least one of a standard technicaldictionary recognized by artisans and the Random House Webster'sUnabridged Dictionary, latest edition are hereby incorporated byreference.

Finally, all references listed in the Information Disclosure Statementor other information statement filed with the application are herebyappended and hereby incorporated by reference; however, as to each ofthe above, to the extent that such information or statementsincorporated by reference might be considered inconsistent with thepatenting of this/these disclosure(s), such statements are expressly notto be considered as made by the applicant(s).

In this regard it should be understood that for practical reasons and soas to avoid adding potentially hundreds of claims, the applicant haspresented claims with initial dependencies only.

Support should be understood to exist to the degree required under newmatter laws—including but not limited to United States Patent Law 35 USC132 or other such laws—to permit the addition of any of the variousdependencies or other elements presented under one independent claim orconcept as dependencies or elements under any other independent claim orconcept.

To the extent that insubstantial substitutes are made, to the extentthat the applicant did not in fact draft any claim so as to literallyencompass any particular implementation, and to the extent otherwiseapplicable, the applicant should not be understood to have in any wayintended to or actually relinquished such coverage as the applicantsimply may not have been able to anticipate all eventualities; oneskilled in the art should not be reasonably expected to have drafted aclaim that would have literally encompassed such alternativeimplementations.

Further, the use of the transitional phrase “comprising” is used tomaintain the “open-end” claims herein, according to traditional claiminterpretation. Thus, unless the context requires otherwise, it shouldbe understood that the term “compromise” or variations such as“comprises” or “comprising”, are intended to imply the inclusion of astated element or step or group of elements or steps but not theexclusion of any other element or step or group of elements or steps.

Such terms should be interpreted in their most expansive forms so as toafford the applicant the broadest coverage legally permissible.

It should be noted that the bearings may be adjusted to correspond tothe intended usage. A highly lubricous material may be used, a ballshape, cone, cylinder or ovoid.

1. A tool mount with flexible finger connector comprising: a tool collarwith a closed back end and an open front and an outer annular wall andan open ended tool socket having an inner annular wall; a bearing guidewith a fluid connection from the outer annular wall to the inner annularwall; a generally cylindrical sleeve with an outer annular wall andinner annular wall having an open end, a partially closed end; aflexible hinge formed in the sleeve, fluidly connecting the outer andinner annular walls with a fixed first end and a free second end and afinger extending from the second end towards the interior of thecylindrical sleeve; the sleeve fitted over the tool collar with thefinger extending into the tool socket through the bearing guide; and, ashaft attached to the closed back end of the tool collar.
 2. The toolmount with flexible connector of claim 1, wherein said flexible hinge isone of “U” shaped and “C” shaped.
 3. The tool mount with flexibleconnector of claim 1, further comprising an alignment positioning catchon the tool collar.
 4. The tool mount of claim 3, wherein an alignmentguide is one of a latch and a catch.
 5. The tool mount of claim 4,wherein the alignment positioning catch further comprises: a partiallyclosed latch at the back end of the sleeve; a positioning catch formedat the closed back end of the tool collar; and, whereby the latch andcatch mate in a preselected orientation.
 6. The tool mount of claim 4,wherein the alignment guide further comprises: a partially closed latchat the front end of the sleeve; a non-homogeneous portion of the toolcollar outer annular wall proximate to the front end forming a catch;and, whereby the latch and catch mate in a preselected orientation. 7.The tool mount with flexible connector of claim 1, further comprising atool with a shaped proximal end and an annular bearing guide reversiblymountable to said tool socket.
 8. The tool mount with flexible connectorof claim 6, further comprising a tool catch at the distal end of saidtool.
 9. The tool mount with flexible connector of claim 6, wherein saidsleeve has memory and is formed of at least one of plastics, resins,composites, rubbers, and polymers.
 10. The tool mount with flexibleconnector of claim 7, wherein the hinge moves from an at rest positionto an active position when the distal end of the tool is inserted andreturns to the at rest position when the finger is in the annularbearing guide.
 11. A tool mount with flexible finger connectorcomprising: a tool collar with a closed back end and an open front andan outer annular wall and an open ended tool socket having an innerannular wall; a guide with a fluid connection from the outer annularwall to the inner annular wall; a generally cylindrical sleeve with anouter annular wall and inner annular wall having an open end and apartially closed end wherein the sleeve is fitted over the tool collar;a flexible hinge flap with a free end formed within an aperture in thesleeve wherein the aperture fluidly connects the outer and inner annularwalls; a finger extending from the free end towards the interior of thecylindrical sleeve; a shaft attached to the closed back end of the toolcollar; and, wherein the finger protrudes through the guide into thetool socket and may be displaced by the insertion of a tool into thetool socket.
 12. The tool mount of claim 11, further comprising a toolwith a shaped proximal end and an annular guide reversibly mountable tosaid tool socket via the finger forming a reversible catch on the latch.13. The tool mount of claim 11, wherein said sleeve has memory and isformed of at least one of plastics, resins, composites, rubbers, andpolymers.
 14. The tool mount of claim 13, wherein the hinge moves froman at rest position to an active position when the distal end of thetool is inserted and returns to the at rest position when the finger isin the bearing guide.
 15. A method of reversibly attaching tools, themethod comprising: forming a flexible hinge on a cylindrical sleeve witha guide surrounding a portion of the hinge, the guide forming apassageway through the sleeve and forming a finger on the free end ofthe hinge oriented toward the center of the cylindrical sleeve; placingthe sleeve around a tool collar, the tool collar comprising; an axialtool socket; a bearing guide generally perpendicular to the tool socket;orienting the flexible hinge around the tool socket whereby the fingeris positioned over the bearing guide and extends into the tool socket;inserting a tool shaft with shaped proximal end and tool guide formedtherein, into the tool socket; and, using force to move the finger withthe proximal end of the tool whereby the finger moves away from the toolsocket with the flexible hinge flap to become momentarily displaced bythe tool shaft and allow passage of the tool shaft.
 16. The method ofclaim 15, further comprising further inserting the tool shaft until thefinger moves into a guide in the tool's proximal end and reversibleaffixes the tool in the tool socket.
 17. A method of reversiblyattaching tools, the method comprising: forming a linear tool collarwith an open front end and a shaft extended from the back end; formingan axial tool socket in the tool collar through the front end; forming aflexible hinge arm connected to the tool collar at one end with a secondfree end and within a guide fluidly connecting the exterior of the toolcollar with the tool socket; forming a finger near the free end andextending into the tool socket; inserting a tool shaft with shapedproximal end and tool guide formed therein, into the tool socket; and,using force to move the finger with the proximal end of the tool wherebythe finger moves away from the tool socket with the flexible hinge armto become momentarily displaced by the tool shaft and allow passage ofthe tool shaft.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising furtherinserting the tool shaft until the finger moves into a guide in thetool's proximal end and reversible affixes the tool in the tool socket.